Set-up Wakf board in AP: Mohammed Jani

Published: Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 16:06 [IST]

Subscribe to Oneindia News

Hyderabad, Nov 4: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Mohammed Jani on Tuesday, Nov 4 urged the State Government to establish a Wakf Board Development Corporation for the development of wakf properties in the State. Addressing the press here, Mr Jani said he met Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and urged him to consider his suggestion.

The Chief Minister had assured him that he would discuss the matter with the Ministers concerned and take a decision.

He also asked Dr Reddy to keep on hold the government's proposal to develop the Knowledge City project at Aloor Village in Chevalla Mandal in Ranga Reddy District on 1,260 acre of Wakf land through the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC).

Mr Jani said all Wakf properties in the State could be developed with the proposed corporation and the government need not spend a single paise for the welfare of Muslims as the corporation could look after their welfare with its funds.

He said if the State Government established a Corporation for the development of Wakf properties, it would give good signals to Muslims all over the country and other State Governments, too, could follow the same.

Of the 1,600 acre of Waqf land belonging to Pahadi Dargah,the goverment had given 957 acre to various institutions, including Lanco.

The government had also given 1,200 acre of Waqf lands to GMR Airport in the city.

Out of 5,600 acre in Visakhapatnam, the government had given 2,800 acres to NTPC. The government could collect the money from these institutions and give it to the corporation, he pointed out.

As of now, there were 1.37 lakh acres of Wakf lands in the State which could be developed through a corporation.

As per the Central Act, the lands donated to the Wakf board should not be sold or purchased, he claimed.